Millions of haj pilgrims, including 22,320 Malaysians, began flooding back into this holy city after completing the stoning the devil ritual in Mina.

They moved gradually into their 'maktab' (lodging) before going to Masjidil Haram (Grand Mosque) to perform the 'tawaf' by circling around the Kaaba seven times.

After performing the 'tawaf', they will proceed with the 'saie' between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, thus completing the haj pilgrimage.

However, several pilgrims including Tabung Haji (TH) staff and the media team had also completed the pilgrimage as they performed the 'nafar awal' (tawaf, saie and tahlul) before the stoning ritual in Mina.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said 20 pilgrims who lost their way in Mina had been found by TH staff.

The pilgrims lost their way after leaving the group to perform the stoning ritual on their own.

The minister said the first group of Malaysian pilgrims will depart home on Oct 21 while the last group will leave the holy land on Nov 17.

Meanwhile, TH media operations chief Anis Zuhani Ahmad said 12 Malaysian pilgrims have died, the latest being Tumiah Md Tubin,58, from Kukup, Johor.

Tumiah died in Mina at 1pm yesterday after admitted to TH treatment centre in Mina Muassim following a heart attack.

Her remains were buried at Syaraek cemetery, here yesterday.